Tajikistan Consular Information Sheet - Tips

Tajikistan Consular Information Sheet

August 02,
2007COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Tajikistan remains the
poorest of the former Soviet republics in Central Asia. It is a nominally
constitutional, democratic, and secular republic, dominated by President Emomali
Rahmon who has been in power since 1992. Tourist
facilities are undeveloped and many goods and services usually available in
other countries are unavailable. Read the Department of State Background
Notes on Tajikistan for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT
REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required
to enter Tajikistan, as well as for registration at hotels. Failure to
produce a valid visa will require the traveler to leave the country
immediately. Travelers planning to arrive in Tajikistan from countries
that have Tajik embassies or consulates must obtain Tajik visas abroad prior to
their travel. Tajikistan is represented by embassies and consulates in the
following countries: United States of America, Austria, Germany, Belgium,
Turkey, China, Afghanistan (Kabul, Mazori Sharif), Iran, Pakistan, India,
Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and United Arab
Emirates (Dubai). Travelers arriving in Tajikistan from countries in which
there are no Tajik embassies or consulates must have Tajik visa support, a
letter confirming that a visa may be issued, from the Tajik Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) in order to receive a Tajik visa at the Dushanbe International
Airport upon arrival. Travelers need to have two passport-size photos and
a passport valid for at least six month longer than the duration of the planned
stay in Tajikistan. Visas issued at the Dushanbe airport are normally
valid for only 45 days. This â€œupon arrivalâ€ visa service does not apply to
any other Tajik airports or land borders.

Travelers staying in
Tajikistan three days or longer must, within three days of arrival in
Tajikistan, obtain registration stamps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
or the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OVIR), depending on whether the purpose of
the visit to Tajikistan is for official or personal travel. Immigration
authorities may deny the departure of travelers who failed to register their
visas until they pay a fine and obtain the registration stamps at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs or OVIR.

In order to receive visa support, an
organization inviting a traveler to Tajikistan must submit a request to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least two weeks in advance of the planned travel
date to Tajikistan. Persons planning to arrive in Tajikistan at the
invitation of a private Tajik resident (e.g., a friend or relative in
Tajikistan) need to obtain a notification letter from the Tajik Department of
Visas and Registration under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (OVIR). The
MFA will issue Tajik visa support on the basis of the OVIR notification
letter. The inviting party will send a copy of visa support to the
traveler. The original MFA visa support will be sent to the Consular
bureau at Dushanbe airport. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
travelers applying for visas at Tajik embassies or consulates abroad will be
able to obtain single entry Tajik visas valid for 45 days upon direct submission
of their visa request to the Tajik embassy or consulate (without a visa support
letter).

Travelers who would like their visas extended need to
apply for extension in advance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official
travelers) or OVIR (tourist or commercial travelers).

Furthermore,
entry into the Gorno-Badakhshan region, both from inside and outside of
Tajikistan, requires special authorization in advance in addition to a valid
Tajik visa. Tajik authorities advise that sponsoring organizations in
Tajikistan submit requests for travel authorization for the Gorno-Badakhshan
Autonomous Region to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Department of Visas
and Registration (OVIR) at least two weeks in advance of the planned
travel. The Tajik MFA or OVIR will list the names of settlements and
cities in Gorno-Badakhshan, which the traveler plans on visiting, in the travel
authorization stamp and stamp it. The Gorno-Badakhshan travel
authorization is not written on a Tajik visa sticker. It is a separate
note put in a passport.

The government of Tajikistan requires
visitors who remain in country for more than 90 days to present a medical
certificate showing that they are HIV-free, or to submit to an HIV test in
Tajikistan. HIV is a growing health threat in Tajikistan.

Visit the
Embassy of Tajikistan web site at http://www.tjus.org for the most current visa
information.

Note: Departure options from
Tajikistan may be limited in an emergency. U.S. citizens, their family
members, and their dependents can maximize departure options by obtaining
extended visas for travel to countries with reliable connections to Tajikistan,
including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia. Other
destinations, notably Turkey, offer several flights a week and do not require
American citizens to obtain visas in advance. Please note, however, that
in emergency situations, flights may be suspended.

SAFETY AND
SECURITY: Supporters of extremist groups such as
the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU),
al-Qaida, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement remain
active in Central Asia. These groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments
and may attempt to target U.S. Government or private interests in the region,
including in Tajikistan. Terrorist attacks involving the use of suicide
bombers have previously taken place in neighboring Uzbekistan. Taliban
resurgence and successful operations in Afghanistan, including attacks in the
north, could also affect the security situation in southern Tajikistan.

In January 2005, a car bomb exploded outside a Tajik Government facility
in Dushanbe, killing one person. In June 2007, another explosion occurred
outside the same facility, this time with no fatalities reported. Though
these incidents were not directed against U.S. interests, they highlight the
importance of paying careful attention to surroundings. The Tajik
Government claimed the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan was responsible for both
explosions.

Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian
targets. Because of increased security at official U.S. facilities,
terrorists are seeking softer civilian targets such as residential areas, clubs
and restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events,
resorts, beaches, maritime facilities, airports and aircraft. The Embassy
continues to monitor such events closely and may impose travel restrictions
should this situation deteriorate.

Up-to-date information
on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free
in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular
toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take
responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect
themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of Stateâ€™s pamphlet
A Safe
Trip Abroad.

CRIME: Tajikistan is a
country with a struggling economy and widespread unemployment. People
perceived to have money, including foreigners, may be targeted for common street
crime, such as pick-pocketing and mugging, as well as for more violent incidents
such as armed robbery, residential break-ins, and sexual assault.The high
level of corruption among law enforcement officials dissuades many victims from
reporting crimes. A common occurrence of police corruption involves the guise of
exacting â€œfinesâ€ for alleged illegal conduct. Those who refuse to pay may
be detained for long periods, and for those outside of Dushanbe, especially in
smaller villages, access to a telephone or other resources may be difficult to
obtain.

The overall security situation in Dushanbe has been relatively calm for the
past few years. In general, most locations throughout the city are safe to
visit during daylight hours but caution must be used during evening hours.
Outside Dushanbe, travelers should be aware that local security, law
enforcement, first responder, and medical personnel may not be immediately
available in case of need.

The Embassy reminds visitors to be careful and
cautious in their own personal security, whether within the city limits of
Dushanbe or in the more remote areas of the country. Americans should be
aware that danger increases after dark, and they are advised to use caution when
traveling alone or on foot after dark. The U.S. Embassy encourages
visitors to travel in pairs and to notify colleagues of their whereabouts when
not working, especially during evening hours. Travelers are also
encouraged to carry a copy of their passport (separate from your wallet) to
speed up issuance of a new passport in case of theft.

In many
countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely
available. Transactions involving such products are illegal under local
law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in
forfeitures and/or fines. More information on this serious problem is
available at http://www.cybercrime.gov/18usc2320.htm
.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or
theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local
police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of
a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact
the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The
Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical
care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be
transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is
solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you
to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if
needed.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH
INFORMATION: The quality of Tajikistanâ€™s medical infrastructure
is significantly below Western standards, with severe shortages of basic medical
supplies, including disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Many
trained medical personnel left the country during and following the civil
war. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be
at particular risk due to inadequate medical facilities.

Significant
disease outbreaks are possible due to population shifts and a decline in some
immunization coverage among the general population. There have been
outbreaks of typhoid in the Dushanbe area and in the south, and the risk of
contracting malaria, cholera, and water-borne illnesses is high.
Throughout Central Asia, rates of infection of various forms of hepatitis and
tuberculosis (including drug-resistant strains) are on the rise. It is
advised to drink only bottled or thoroughly boiled water while in
Tajikistan.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions,
such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionâ€™s hotline for
international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDCâ€™s
internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For
information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World
Health Organizationâ€™s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health
information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. Pandemic and
avian flu information is available at
http://www.pandemicflu.gov.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The
Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical
insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy
applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical
evacuation. Please see our information on medical
insurance overseas.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may
encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Tajikistan is provided for
general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location
or circumstance.

Travel to, from, and within Tajikistan is
difficult and unreliable. Neighboring countries may unilaterally close
borders and some borders are poorly delineated. Armed police or military
checkpoints can make road travel outside of Dushanbe more difficult.
Crossing the Tajik-Uzbek border, in particular, has been known to present
difficulties for drivers operating vehicles with non-Tajik government-issued
plates. Road travel should be undertaken only in daylight hours and on
routes known to the traveler or a reliable escort. Those traveling to
Gorno-Badakhshan by car should do so only during daylight hours. The roads
traverse mountainous terrain along the Afghan border that is difficult to
navigate, even in daylight hours. Public transportation vehicles in the
city are often overcrowded and not always safe. If you are driving, be
vigilant because pedestrians often tend to cross the street at inappropriate
places or walk along the highway without paying attention to vehicular
traffic. Bus services between major cities have been severely disrupted by
border closures and should not be relied upon. The State Traffic
Inspectorate (GAI, or in Tajiki, BDA), which has checkpoints in many cities and
at regular intervals along all highways outside the city, frequently stops
vehicles for inspection of the vehicle and the driverâ€™s
documents.

During the winter months, the potential dangers when
traveling outside of Dushanbe in the mountainous areas of the country are
heightened. Every year, accidents and casualties occur on Tajikistanâ€™s
mountain roads and passes, often when drivers ignore warnings not to travel over
a closed mountain pass. Avalanches are a common occurrence in Tajikistanâ€™s
mountains during the winter months. The tunnel bypassing the Anzob Pass is
still not complete and travel via this construction project is not advised in
any season. Please exercise caution and limit winter travel to
Tajikistanâ€™s mountain regions.

AVIATION SAFETY
OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between
the United States and Tajikistan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has not assessed Tajikistanâ€™s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety
standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAAâ€™s Internet
web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

SPECIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES: Tajikistan has a cash-only economy. International
banking services are limited, but ATM machines have been installed in several
locations. Cash is dispensed in both U.S. and local currency. Few
establishments in the country accept credit cards and none accepts traveler's
checks. Tajikistan's national currency is the Somoni, which is
convertible.

Tajik customs authorities may subject all items that
are imported into or exported from Tajikistan to a high level of scrutiny.
The Government of Tajikistan may enforce strict customs regulations against
those who import and export goods. The export of antiques and cultural
valuables requires special permission. There are also currency
restrictions. Travelers must fill out a Customs Declaration Form upon
arrival in Tajikistan, have it stamped by Tajik customs officials at the port of
entry and retain the form until departure to demonstrate that the travelers are
not leaving Tajikistan with more money than they brought into the country.
Please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the United States,
1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20037; telephone (202) 223-6090,
fax: (202) 223-6091, e-mail: tajikistan@verizon.net, web site: http://www.tjus.org for specific information
about customs requirements.

The Republic of Tajikistan does not
recognize dual citizenship with most countries, including the United States (one
exception is with Russia, where dual citizenship is regulated by a special
interstate agreement). Dual nationals who attempt to leave Tajikistan on
U.S. passports without valid Tajik visas in them are likely to have problems
with immigration authorities upon departing Tajikistan.

Travelers to
Tajikistan are subject to frequent document inspections by local police.
U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to carry copies of their U.S. passports
and Tajik visas at all times so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of
identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. Taking photographs of
anything that could be perceived as being of military or security
interest, including many government buildings, may result in
problems with the authorities. In accordance with the Vienna Convention on
Consular Relations and certain bilateral agreements, local authorities must
grant a U.S. consular officer access to any U.S. citizen who is arrested.
U.S. citizens who are arrested or detained should ask to contact the U.S.
Embassy immediately.

Tajikistan is an earthquake-prone country.
General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the
Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a
foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and
regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United
States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S.
law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United
States for similar offenses. Persons violating Tajik laws, even
unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for
possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Tajikistan are severe, and
convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child
pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United
States. Please see our information on Criminal
Penalties.

CHILDREN'S
ISSUES: For information see our Office of Childrenâ€™s
Issues web pages on intercountry
adoption and international
parental child abduction.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY
LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Tajikistan are
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Departmentâ€™s travel
registration web site and to obtain updated information on travel and
security within Tajikistan. Americans without Internet access may
register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to
contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 109A
Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Main Phone: 992-37-229-2000,
Consular Direct Line: 992-37-229-23-00, consular fax: 992-37-229-23-09, embassy
fax: 992-37-2050, Duty Officer: 992-90-770-10-32, web site: http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov.